Top-Rated Air Purifier Reviews

For general purpose use, these are our most recommended units. For more specific needs (such as certain allergies, molds, etc.), check out the 'Categories' section below. Keep in mind these air filters may vary in price -- they're ranked based on value vs cost, filtering performance and various other key features.

Categories

If you want to narrow it down by manufacturer, feature type, allergen, filter costs and more, check out each of our leading categories below. Visit our category or search section (links at the very top of this page) for a full rundown of all the different brands and details.

Latest Reviews

Browse the very latest air purifier reviews right here. Note: we do our very best to update our reviews as models get upgraded with new features, bug fixes, etc. Those updated posts may not show up here, so be sure to check the particular model's review page for the latest.

Designed and manufactured in Switzerland, the IQAir HealthPro Plus delivers a ton of technologically-advanced features…all at an extremely competitive price. Starting with its 3D UltraSeal and modular configuration, this air purifier drastically reduces “leakage” by preventing air from entering the system and compromising the air blown back out. As a result, it claims and guarantees […]

One of our favorite mid/high-range models, the Alen BreatheSmart air purifier has a ton of smart features… and the looks to match. From a proprietary air quality sensor to an impressively quiet filter technology, this unit is rated for spaces up to 1,100 square feet. A top name in the industry, Alen combines a customizable […]

When it comes to affordable whole-home air purification, it doesn’t get much better than this model. Featuring an elegant and durable 3-step cleaning process, the PlasmaWave 5300 has quickly become one of our most recommended units. What exactly makes it so functional and versatile? The secret sauce is Winix’s Filter Series and PlasmaWave Technology combo. […]

Air Filter Features: How to Compare Them

With a fair amount of features and differing terminology out there, we often get asked what THE most important things to look out for are. Here are the highest priority items we check during our reviews and when we’re shopping for a new air filter as well (in descending order of importance):

HEPA Filter – these days, most air purifiers above a $150 price tag come with a HEPA filter capable of catching >99.97% of particles 0.3 microns or greater (the bigger the target substance, the easier it is to trap). The term “HEPA” will only be given if a unit has passed DOE’s (Department of Energy) HEPA testing protocol. Marketing terms such “true” HEPA and the like don’t usually translate into a significant improvement above the regularly-rated HEPA filters. If they do, we’ll mention it on the review page. Finally, if you run across terms such as “HEPA-like” or “HEPA style”, they generally mean the unit didn’t pass DOE testing and it filters (significantly) less than 99.97% of airborne particles.

Coverage Area – largely a function of the fan and the design of the unit, in general, the larger the coverage area, the better. The higher range of coverage area tends to be greater than 1,000 square feet — so, equivalent to a large room or space. Lower coverage area filters clock in at less than 350 sq. ft. An important component of coverage area is the “ACH Rating” (Air changes/hour). Basically, it quickly tells you how many times the air in the given room size gets completely circulated. For example, with an ACH of 3x at 500 sq. ft., you can expect 3 complete purification cycles of a 500 sq. ft. EVERY hour. For the most part, air filter ACH Ratings tend to be 2-5x (obviously, the larger the better).

Durability – of course, all the above doesn’t count for much if the unit and/or filters don’t last very long. Accompanying each rating, we’ll assign each filter a “Durability (+Filter replacement)” score from 0 to 5 stars. If the unit is efficiently built, tends to last a while, has a reasonably manufacturer’s warranty AND the filters don’t require overly frequent replacement, it’ll score close to 5 stars. If the score is under 3 stars, you might want to consider looking elsewhere if you want a unit for longer-term use.

Ordering Tips

If you’ve decided to buy an air filter, here are a few of the most frequent recommendations we give our visitors and clients:

Shop Around – sort of obvious but a lot of folks skip this part. When it comes to air purifiers, there are few places you can typically compare prices. First, we like to check Amazon for the most competitive online price. With most filters, you’re not likely to find a better deal elsewhere. Next, search the manufacturer’s own website. Every so often, they’ll run seasonal or introductory specials. Lastly, try your local big box store (Target, Costco, etc). It’s rare they’ll have THE best price, but if you can get it for near the same price and take it home the same day, it’s probably worth it. At the end of most of our reviews, you’ll find a link to the best price we were able to find online.

How much and where will it be used? – most folks get an air filter for continuous use in a certain part of their home… but deciding up-front on the extent and the size of room can save you hundreds. For starters, if it’s primarily for a regular sized room (bedroom, etc.), there’s really no need to get an air filter rated for twice the size. Regarding need, if you’re dealing with cigarette smoke or other strong odors, you’ll probably want to make sure the CADR rating for the unit (see the blue bar on each review) is at least 300 for the particular particle(s) you’re looking to target.

Is it Business Related? – this one’s more of a tax-related tip. If you already file at least part of your home as a home office, in most cases you’ll be able to deduct part or all of the cost of the air filter (you might want to check with your accountant just in case).